MADRID: Real Madrid have signed defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a deal until 2031, the Spanish giants said on Friday. The 26-year-old England international’s contract at Anfield was drawing to an end but Real paid a fee to bring him in earlier so he can play in the Club World Cup. “Liverpool will receive a fee for his services, with the deal to be concluded once the window opens on June 1,” Liverpool said in a statement, with British media reporting Real paid the Premier League champions 10 million pounds ($13.48 million). Right-back Alexander-Arnold, who has just won the Premier League title with Liverpool, came through the academy of his boyhood club and won the Champions League in 2019. He also won the Premier League in 2020 and 352 appearances for the club. The defender joins former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso at Real, with the Spaniard appointed as their new coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti. Alexander-Arnold’s close connections to Liverpool meant that his announcement that he was leaving the club was viewed with disgust by some supporters and he was booed in the penultimate match of the season. Just hours after Real completed the signing of Alexander-Arnold Liverpool also announced the transfer of his replacement Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. British media reported that Liverpool triggered a 35 million euros ($39.73 million) release clause for the Dutch international, whose deal with Leverkusen was valid until 2028. Frimpong joined Liverpool on a six-year deal with the 24-year-old set to replace the England defender as he becomes manager Arne Slot’s first signing after they won the Premier League title. “It went quite easy,” the 24-year-old told the club website. “Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer. “For me, it was like, Whatever you guys do, just get this done.” The right back, who can also play as a winger, played a key role in the Leverkusen side that won the German domestic double in 2023-24, chipping in with 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. Frimpong also recorded 12 assists this season, adding five goals, from 48 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga runners-up. “Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together,” Frimpong added. “I’m just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I wont let you guys down and Ill give you the energy that you guys want.” Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2025